Runaway

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“Zander. Up man. We got work to do.” I groaned. I cracked my eye open to see Ben standing above me, grinning. I sighed; did the kid ever stop smiling?

I followed him out to the pump where they taught me how to wash up from a water basin. I gave it a weary look. It probably had germs in it and everything. I was used to my own tub and wash basin, now I had to share one?

I glanced at the other boys. They washed their faces and pits quickly, acting like nothing was wrong with it. I almost felt a twinge of homesickness, but I smashed it. There was no way on this earth I was going back to that horrible jail cell. I plunged my hands into the water and started washing my face. If I was going to live like this, I’d have to get used to some things.

“All right, boys. Let’s teach the baby how to shoot an arrow.” Bulldog laughed, glaring at me. A shiver of fear went down my spine, but I managed to look passive.

“Relax, Bulldog.” Ben joked, drying his face. “There’s no reason to get your underwear up in a wad. I’ll teach Zander all the technical stuff, you just go rest. You are getting old in your years ya know.”

The boys laughed, though Bulldog didn’t look very amused. I decided then and there I was going to stick by Ben and the other boys. I didn’t want to get wrapped up with Bulldog. He’d kill me, I was sure of it.

“C’mon, Zander.” Ben waved to me and I followed him to Toro’s barn. It was old, but it’d been painted red only a few weeks earlier. I liked the bright color; it made the building look old and new all at the same time. It was kind of how I felt about myself. I felt incredibly old on the inside, but on the outside, I was painted to look new or young.

I followed Ben inside and he pulled a bow off the wall. It was the biggest one on the shelf.

“Ben, I’m not sure…” I trailed off, staring at it. It was huge!! There was no way I could even hold it up, let alone string and shoot an arrow out of it.

“Just trust me, Zander.” Ben smiled, glancing at it then back at me. “I’ve never been wrong.”

I took it from him, and it felt huge in my hands. The string was taut, and I looked at it doubtfully. I sighed. But if Ben said I could, I’d prove to everyone that I certainly COULD shoot an arrow from it.

“Of course. You won’t practice in front of the boys for a good two weeks.” Ben smiled, taking it back and putting it back on its peg. “For the next little while, while you’re practicing with that beauty, we’re going to work on the farm. It’ll help you work your arms AND your legs. I think you’ll find it a good way to spend your time.”

“Whatever you say, Ben.” I smiled.

“I like the looks of you, kid.” He laughed. “C’mon.”

I followed him out to some farm land. I didn’t know what the plants were, because I’d never had to worry about agriculture in the castle.

“All right, kid. This little plant here,” Ben knelt next to the small green bud, “is going to be a big cornstalk in only a few short weeks. Things grow fast here, trust me.

“Now, I’m going to teach you what every plant looks like. Okay maybe not EVERY one, but the ones you should know to survive on this farm.”

“Okay, Ben.” I nodded. He grinned at me,

“I like you, Zander. You’re so willing to learn and work. It’s impressive. Now, we’re going to hoe these weeds out. Tough work, especially when you do it for six hours, like I do.” He said.